Turn your mobile phone into a video controller with an advanced video pack from Swann

April 25, 2007 The Advanced Video Pack from Swann enables you to stream video live from a camera to your mobile phone. It will even alert you via SMS when its cameras detect motion. While many would use this system for home or business security, it may also be used as a baby monitor, or even just for a bit of fun.

The pack consists of two CCTV day/night vision cameras, a PCI capture card and the “Capture-Cam” software. The capture card can connect up to 4 local CCTV cameras and the Capture-Cam software can also manage USB cameras and remote cameras across a network or the Internet.

Capture-Cam can trigger a user defined alarm when it detects motion from one of its cameras. These alarms include sending a mobile video stream to your 3G phone, SMS, MMS, email, an audible alert sent to local speakers, or a voice alert to a mobile or fixed line telephone. To send SMS or MMS alerts, credits must be purchased here. Credits vary in price from AU$0.29 - AU$0.38 (approx. US$0.24 – US$0.31) depending on the amount purchased.

In order to view the cameras remotely (via either a PC or 3G phone Internet browser), an account must be setup with MVSNOW, which keeps track of the location of your Capture-Cam PC on the Internet. The system is compatible with most leading mobile phone brands, a detailed list is available here.

Capture-cam includes a detailed scheduling function, enabling users to set automatic recording or monitoring systems. Capture-cam can also be used as a simple recording device, saving footage as a compressed AVI.

The Advanced Video Pack includes a detailed training video explaining how to set up the hardware and software. This video is designed to be followed by a user of a minimal level of expertise – making this product easy for just about anyone to setup.

The two cameras included are designed for day/night and indoor/outdoor use, featuring a robust weather resistant (though not water proof) hood and 5 meter (16 ft) infrared range. Daytime footage is captured in color, while nighttime footage is black and white. The system is both PAL and NTSC compatible.

While the Advanced Video Pack is available for PC only, it will run on moderately powered machines – requiring only 1.2 GHz of CPU power and 256 MB of RAM to operate.

Although the Advanced Video Pack is a wired system, each camera comes with a 22 meter (70 ft) long RCA cable / DC power cable and a mountable base. If a user does not require PC video capture, the cameras may alternatively be attached to a variety of devices, including TV, monitor or VCR.

The Swann Advanced Video Pack will be available soon for around AU$399 (US$329).